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Can You Forgive Her?
Can You Forgive Her?

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for Can You Forgive Her?
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Burgo Fitzgerald.
On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.
It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.
Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.
There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Can You Forgive Her?

Chapter XV

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Burgo Fitzgerald.
Line 2
On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.
Line 3
It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.
Line 4
Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.
Line 5
There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.”

Brandy noun US /ˈbrændi/

a strong alcoholic drink distilled from wine

From this reading “There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.”

All words in this reading · 74

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

appear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

begin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

bottles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/

a strong alcoholic drink distilled from wine

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

Burgo

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Burgo Fitzgerald.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

Cecil

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

Christmas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

cold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

containing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

drinking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

enjoyment

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

Eve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

Fitzgerald

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Burgo Fitzgerald.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

George

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

glass

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

hot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

intended

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

jugs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

materials

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

minutes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

o'clock

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

past

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

rooms

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

side

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

sitting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

spirits

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

square

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

Street

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

table

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

together

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

twelve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

twenty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

untouched

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

using

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

Vavasor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Vavasor had not been drinking, nor did it appear as though he intended to begin.

Vavasor's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

water

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.

weak

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was a little weak brandy and water in a glass by his side, but there it had remained untouched for the last twenty minutes.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading On the night before Christmas Eve two men were sitting together in George Vavasor's rooms in Cecil Street.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was past twelve o'clock, and they were both smoking; there were square bottles on the table containing spirits, with hot water and cold water in jugs, and one of the two men was using, and had been using, these materials for enjoyment.